The Euro 2024 match between the Czech Republic and Turkey will be remembered not just for Turkey’s 2-1 victory securing their place in the knockout stages, but for a historic deluge of yellow and red cards. As Cenk Tosun sealed the win in injury time, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Turkish bench, the drama was far from over. Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs proceeded to hand out a staggering five bookings in the aftermath, pushing the game’s total to a record-breaking number of cards for a single Euros Game, surpassing a record set just 20 minutes prior.
In total, 18 cards were issued – 16 yellow and two red. Adding to the unusual nature of this euros game, five of these cards were given to players who weren’t even on the pitch at the time. This Czech Republic vs. Turkey match unequivocally earned its place as the dirtiest game in Euros history. But what exactly unfolded to cause such an explosion of disciplinary action?
Initially, the Czech Republic started strongly, effectively disrupting Turkey’s technically gifted midfield with a rigorous man-marking press. However, the first sign of trouble arrived with an 11th-minute yellow card for Czech midfielder Antonin Barak. The caution was rightly issued after Barak fouled Turkish left-back Ferdi Kadioglu by dragging him down.
This early booking should have served as a warning for Barak to temper his play. Yet, the Fiorentina player seemed undeterred. In the 20th minute, despite a clever touch to evade Ismail Yuksek, Barak found himself surrounded by two Turkish midfielders near the halfway line. As the ball slipped away from him and Hakan Calhanoglu closed in rapidly, Barak lunged with his left foot in a desperate attempt to regain possession before Salih Ozcan.
Second yellow card leading to Antonin Barak's red card in the Euro 2024 match between Czech Republic and Turkey
Ozcan won the challenge and Barak stood on his foot, leaving the Turkish player in pain. Referee Kovacs initially played advantage, but then stopped play for the foul and issued Barak his second yellow card, resulting in a red. This was the fastest sending-off in Euros history, eclipsing the previous record held by France’s Eric Abidal from Euro 2008.
The decision sparked debate among pundits. Andros Townsend, commentating for UK broadcaster ITV, felt the decision was harsh. “This one was even more baffling. He’s in possession of the ball; he taps it away,” Townsend argued. “It’s his follow-through that catches the Turkish player. You can always slow it down and freeze-frame it, but ultimately, he’s in possession of the ball.” Regardless of differing opinions, Barak’s experience should have dictated more caution in midfield after already receiving a yellow card in such a crucial must-win euros game.
Adding to the bizarre card tally, the next yellow card went to Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick in the 31st minute – despite him being off the pitch. The Bayer Leverkusen forward received a yellow for dissent, a caution that would have sidelined him for a potential last-16 match had the Czech Republic qualified, as he was already carrying a yellow card from an earlier game in the tournament.
Schick, the Czech Republic’s top scorer in Euros history, was booked for vehemently arguing that Ismail Yuksek should have been penalized for a strong challenge on Lukas Provod, who was left injured on the ground.
Ismail Yuksek's challenge on Lukas Provod during the Euro 2024 match, a moment that led to protests from Czech Republic players and staff
While Yuksek appeared to win the ball cleanly, the earlier controversial red card for Barak might have fueled Schick’s sense of injustice.
Minutes later, Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz became the second Turkish player to receive a yellow card. After outmaneuvering West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal, Yildiz lost possession to Robin Hranac. Yildiz then committed a late challenge on Hranac, who reacted dramatically.
Kenan Yildiz receiving a yellow card for a foul during the Euro 2024 game, contributing to the record number of cards issued in the match
Had the referee not booked Yildiz, it’s likely the Czech bench would have erupted in protest, given the escalating tensions in this euros game.
Between this point and the explosive scenes after the final whistle, further yellow cards were issued to Calhanoglu, who scored Turkey’s opening goal in the 51st minute, Mert Muldur, Vitezslav Jaros, Lukas Cerv, and substitute goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. Cakir’s booking means he will miss Turkey’s round-of-16 match against Austria.
By the time injury time commenced, this euros game had already broken the record for most cards in a single Euros match, with 14 yellows and one red surpassing the previous record of 10. However, after Tosun’s decisive goal, the real chaos unfolded.
With the Czech Republic facing elimination, Turkey’s passionate celebrations at the final whistle proved too much for some Czech players to bear. West Ham’s Tomas Soucek took exception to Orkun Kokcu’s celebrations in the center of the pitch.
Soon after, players and coaches from both benches flooded onto the field, engaging in a scuffle near the halfway line. A red card – the Czech Republic’s second of the night – was then shown to Viktoria Plzen striker Tomas Chory, who became physically entangled with Turkey’s goalkeeper Mert Gunok.
As the referee struggled to regain control, he issued yellow cards to Soucek and Arda Guler, Turkey’s highly-rated young attacker from Real Madrid.
From a purely footballing perspective, this particular euros game might not be considered a classic. However, its descent into lawlessness, especially in the final moments, has etched it into Euro history. Thanks to the sheer volume of cards and dramatic scenes, this Czech Republic versus Turkey match will be remembered as a truly unique and unforgettable euros game.
(Top photo: Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images)
